POTD: Wall

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I spent some time this weekend in Town Square, enjoying some of the scenery. This wall always fascinates me.

POTD: Squall

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That was quite a snow squall Sunday morning! This was the scene at the Town Square Ice Rink.

Brrrrr.

Lunch For Ten Bucks Next Week In Town Square

Our good friends at >Rockville Living pointed out to us that there’s a very groovy special going on all next week: Lunch for 10$!

Here’s a link to more information (pdf).

The deal is good at these Town Square restaurants:

Austin Grill • Gordon Biersch • La Tasca Rockville • Lebanese
Taverna • Oro Pomodoro • Robeks Fruit Smoothies & Healthy
Eats • Sushi Damo • Taste Of Saigon • Thai Pavilion

Just tell them you’re there for the “Out To Lunch” promotion!

(No, you don’t get anything at all for $10 — there’s a special menu.)

POTD: Leftovers

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This is all that was left on Sunday afternoon . . . .

POTD: Bloom!

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This flower was not actually blooming out on Town Square . . . it was a vase in the window of Acqua Nails. This view is looking out on Gibbs Street.

Yeah, I was in Acqua Nails. You got a problem with that?

POTD: Pattern

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Isn’t this pretty? It’s a close up of tile at Town Square.

POTD: Four Dudes

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Don’t these look like four little guys all in a row?!

POTD: Peek

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I saw this stuffing peeking out at Town Square and I don’t know why but I thought it was neat.

POTD: Glide

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Everybody go ice skating in Town Square! You can rent skates just like these at the old Moe’s Southwest Grill next to Acqua Nails.

"Ice" Skating Rink Opens

While my family was skating at the new >Rockville Town Square Ice Rink, every passerby stopped at the railing, stared at the white surface then reached a hand forward to touch it. The rink isn’t frozen water, it’s synthetic. One of my sons commented that I was calling it synthetic but really it’s plastic. It is plastic.

I had been told that a soapy substance is sprayed into the air so that it settles onto the “ice”, which is a highly slippery substance. At first I was disappointed because you can’t glide very far. Eventually I figured out how to move so that it appeared as if I was ice skating. You put more pressure on the ball of the foot and keep the skates straight. Since you can’t cross your legs to turn corners, you wind up going in straight paths. When I saw one parent looking very professional skating around at an impressive high speed, I thought perhaps I just needed to practice more. When he took a hard, loud fall, I thought otherwise. The surface does trip you up occasionally.

The rink is perfect for little toddlers who don’t know how to skate because it’s not slippery. They can keep their balance and walk around, so you don’t need to constantly bend over to hold them up. People who hadn’t skated in over 20 years were moving around without a fear of falling. If the last time you skated you were seven, you can do this. You have to constantly work to keep moving, which is great exercise. The surface isn’t cold when the kids fall and clothes don’t get wet.

People waited at the fence to ask about the experience. The shredded ice looks real and small handfuls were passed around. One boy on a skateboard rode across the rink until he was told to leave. Being in Rockville Town Square with the tree and Menorah lit creates a festive atmosphere, so it’s fun to be in the center of it all skating.

I couldn’t do a triple salchow on the synthetic surface, but I couldn’t do one on a regular rink either. If you really want to ice skate, you should visit Cabin John. If you want to experience something new while enjoying time together with family and friends, you should give it a try. As I told my son, “An hour ago you couldn’t say that you had skated on plastic, now you can.”

Until Sunday, January 4, 2009, the rink will be open Monday through Friday, noon- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and the parking garages are free in Town Center. Beginning Monday, January 5th through March 2009, the regular operating hours will be Monday through Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children. Skate rentals are $2. Tickets and skate rentals are available at the Skate Shack at 100 Gibbs Street, between Acqua Nails and Town Square Jewelers (where Moe’s Southwest Grill used to be).

POTD: Happy Holidays — See You In The New Year

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Happiest of holidays to our wonderful readers. We will see you again in the New Year. Unless we surprise you in the meantime.

POTD: A Real Bow!

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Now that’s more like it.

Free Parking At Town Square Through The Holidays

>This from Our Fair City:

The Mayor and Council approved free parking in the three City-owned Rockville Town Square parking garages through Sunday, Jan. 4. The measure, approved at the Mayor and Council meeting Monday, Dec. 15, suspends parking fees and fines in the garages located at 215 North Washington Street, on Route 355 between Beall Avenue and Middle Lane and at 30 Maryland Avenue.

Parking fees at the on-street meters in Rockville Town Center remain in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Parking at the meters is free evenings after 7 p.m., weekends and City holidays. Garages and lots not owned by the City have varying rates and hours.

By allowing free parking in the Town Square garages, the Mayor and Council are providing additional support to the ongoing, citywide “Buy Rockville” campaign. The “Buy Rockville” campaign promotes Rockville businesses by encouraging residents to shop, dine and conduct business locally. The campaign, which kicked off on Black Friday, is being led by Rockville Economic Development, Inc., and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce in response to the Rockville Mayor and Council’s call to action for residents to unite in support of businesses located in the city.

POTD: Bow

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Given the season, you might imagine this is a decorative bow on a tree in Town Square, where I took this picture. But you’d be wrong. It’s just a prosaic bit of plastic tie designed to affix cabling to the tree. But, somehow, everything looks prettier these days!

"Buy Rockville" Campaign Begins Nov. 26: No Parking Fees Thanksgiving Weekend

>This just in from Rockville Economic Development, Inc.:

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) announces its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and City government to launch a “Buy Rockville” campaign. The goal is to build support for local retailers and restaurants during the holiday season and provide Rockville citizens an opportunity to connect with businesses in their neighborhoods. The campaign is in direct response to the current economic condition and challenges facing Rockville families and businesses.

“During difficult times it is an American tradition to band together to help each other for the greater good of all,” said Mayor Susan Hoffmann. “We know every dollar spent locally will turn hands 6 to 8 times – from retail to residents, storefronts to schools. This has a direct and profound effect on Rockville’s economy, our residents, and the community at large.”

With Rockville store owners facing increased competition from online sales and other shopping locales, the Buy Rockville campaign connects the community with local retailers and restaurants and provides it with a mechanism to support them. Key campaign priorities include: the formation of a coalition of community and business stakeholders; development of a “BuyRockville.org” web portal in conjunction with RockvilleLiving.com; ongoing public relations; targeted placement of posters and distribution of information flyers; and grassroots outreach.

“In keeping with our mission as the economic development arm of the City, we are proud to partner with the Mayor and Council and the Chamber of Commerce on this important initiative,” said Sally Sternbach, Executive Director of REDI. “In these challenging times, it’s important that we work together to support those who actively contribute to Rockville’s growth, diversity and quality of life.”

Following a formal “Buy Rockville Day” proclamation issued on November 24th, the Mayor and Council announced suspension of garage and street parking fees from Thursday, November 27th through Sunday, November 30th.

“This City is pleased to provide resources and relief to our citizens,” said Mayor Hoffmann. “We hope residents will take advantage of such programs to support Rockville’s retailers and restaurants.”

Throughout the holiday season, REDI, the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Hoffmann, and the City Council will be providing additional details on the campaign. Local businesses are encouraged to visit www.RockvilleLiving.com and add their company profiles, as this database will be used to support the overall outreach campaign.